Israeli Airstrike Kills 18 in Gaza

Recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in significant civilian casualties, with at least 11 Palestinians, including a mother and her six children, killed in a strike in central Gaza. Another airstrike on Saturday claimed the lives of 18 family members, including young children, as they sought shelter. The ongoing conflict, which began following a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, has led to over 40,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health authorities. While negotiations for a ceasefire are underway, with U.S. President Biden expressing cautious optimism, the violence continues unabated. Humanitarian concerns are escalating, with fears of disease outbreaks due to deteriorating living conditions in Gaza. The Israeli military has stated it is investigating the circumstances of these strikes amidst ongoing discussions for a potential ceasefire deal.